Darek Koper

Transport decarbonisation leader

Sydney, Australia

I’m an influencer and change manager leading a transition to sustainable transport in public and private sectors. 

I have led the transition to low emission buses and the investigation to implement low emission ferries in Auckland, New Zealand. 

I am Darek (Dariusz) Koper.

I am an influencer and change manager leading a transition to sustainable transport. On my journey to sustainable transport, in 2018, I have taken the leadership in developing Auckland’s plan to transition to low emissions buses in public transport. I successfully engaged the bus supply chain through New Zealand’s first Low Emission Bus Forum in July 2019 and subsequently led and chaired Auckland’s Low Emission Bus Working Group, taking it to a national status in 2020.

I have successfully implemented and conducted zero emission bus procurement, e-bus trials and electricity grid impact study for bus depots to further develop (Auckland’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap) to transition Auckland’s public transport to zero emission (at the tailpipe) buses by 2030. The trials included Australasia’s first 3-axle hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) bus and the first electric bus in the 3-axle configuration and associated charging infrastructure. The Low Emission Bus Roadmap and HFC bus trial were the finalists for the Low Carbon Future Award at the New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards in 2021 and 2022.

I supported the Ministry of Transport’s policy development on decarbonising bus public transport in New Zealand by 2035 and influenced changes to the Waka Kotahi NZTA Requirements for Urban Bus (RUB) regulations in 2020 to enable safe and efficient operation of zero emission buses in NZ and their interoperability. I also played a key part in developing a pathway for transition to low emission ferries in Auckland, including an assessment of landside charging infrastructure to support the operation of electric ferries.

I have presented at Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTA ANZ) as a subject matter expert at Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Training in Canberra, Sydney and Auckland, ZEB Online Forums hosted by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), and was as guest speaker at Mass Transit’s Conference on Clean Buses in APAC in Singapore in 2019 and online conference in 2020 and participated in a number of panels on decarbonising transport.

Proven ability to perform under pressure and deliver within deadlines, on budget and achieve high-quality outcomes and high standards of management excellence.

Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships, including the ability to coach, advise and influence all levels of seniority, both with internal and external stakeholders in private and public sectors.

A firm commitment to sharing knowledge, experiences and seeking continuous improvement.

Ability to translate vision and strategy and deliver on significant change programmes and key strategic projects.

Expertise in shaping the future of public transport and reducing transport emissions.

Since July 2023 I work as Project Director eMobility for UGL PTY limited, a large engineering, contracting and transport company based in Sydney, Australia, with my key focus on developing opportunities to accelerate decarbonisation of road, rail and marine transport and deliver eMobility projects in Australia and New Zealand.

In the past 6 years, I have held a number of senior roles in the public sector at Auckland Transport, a public transport authority (PTA) responsible for the delivery of public transport services and infrastructure. My roles included: Bus Services Manager, Decarbonisation Manager, Metro Specifications (Fleet & Infrastructure) Manager, and Group Manager Metro Services responsible for AT Metro bus, train, ferry, total mobility and on-demand services, fleet and infrastructure specifications and facilities operations. 

I also played a key part in developing a pathway for transition to low emission ferries in Auckland including an assessment of landside charging infrastructure to support the operation of electric ferries and setting up the low emission ferry programme to manage the world’s largest implementation of low emission fast ferries across multiple routes across the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland and landside infrastructure upgrades.

Prior to Auckland Transport, I spent 26 years in the private sector. I worked for 10 years in senior leadership, fleet and operational management roles with the New Zealand Bus, a private bus operator. I also have 12 years of experience in petroleum retail operations for BP and four years in manufacturing and quality assurance of industrial and consumer goods at Unilever. My overseas experience includes production planning for steel structures and railway wagons, translating for US and EU consultants working with Polish government agencies, banks and emerging entrepreneurs in their transition to free market economy in 1992/93.

Hear me speaking

Projects I have been involed in